Nihil, there is still a critical distinction between being able to pinpoint a geographic location from an IP, and being able to subpeona some records as to what physical location recieved that IP.
That is exactly the point I was trying to support your argument on. The first poster was talking about the first point and the second about the records trail? Obviously they are separate concepts, though might be connected, given the right circumstances?

Let's try some examples that people can look at for themselves? [ Sorry for those who know all this, but we do have students, newcomers to the subject, and the like who might benefit from developing this discussion a bit further]

My provider is BritishTelecom, I guess they are the largest in the UK. As my profile states I live in Bridlington............. that is on the bit to the left of this post, and in my profile.

It is a town of about 32,000 on the East Coast of Northern England (about half way up, and on the right, to our putative US Army types )

My IP address is : 81.152.9.99

Now, just go check that:

Here are some links to tools and resources:

http://www.dnsstuff.com/

http://samspade.org/

Then look at a map of the UK

//aside

Any good links to lookup facilities that are current, folks? //

EXAMPLE #2

Try checking an AOL account e-mail. Because of their network architecture, you will be sent to one of their switching centres. No locational relevance; as they seem to use some sort of load balancing system (well that is a little while back, but the architecture is still there)

EXAMPLE#3

Road Runner........... (beep! beep!) that resolves to Virginia try it folks................

I am sure that fellow members will provide other examples?

Hey, Doppy, I guess this thread is talkin its way into "Forensics"?